China News Agency, Washington, March 11 (Reporter Chen Mengtong) US President Biden signed a $1.9 trillion new crown epidemic relief bill at the White House on the 11th.

  This is the first major legislative motion passed by Congress during Biden's tenure.

Before signing the bill, he said, "This historic legislation will rebuild the backbone of this country."

  The United States passed a round of epidemic relief bills totaling approximately US$2 trillion at the end of March last year, and reached another US$900 billion relief bill at the end of December that year.

  White House Press Secretary Psaki said at a press conference on the 11th that the American people will receive a cash subsidy of US$1,400 as soon as this weekend.

  The main content of this bill, known as the "U.S. Relief Program," includes: adding 300 US dollars to weekly unemployment benefits, expanding the scope of unemployment benefits and extending the application period to September 6; 350 billion U.S. dollars in funding; approximately 170 billion U.S. dollars for the reopening of schools.

  Since Biden took office, the two parties in the US Congress have conducted multiple rounds of negotiations on the content of the bill.

The White House's proposal to raise the statutory federal minimum wage from US$7.25 to US$15 per hour was eventually deleted, and the content of unemployment benefits was also adjusted.

  Biden said that in the past few weeks, this bill has continuously aroused controversy and discussion. "It is clear that this bill has the support of the majority of Americans. Their voices have been answered."

  A day ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the revised version of the Senate with 220 votes in favor and 211 votes against.

No Republican congressman voted in favor, and one Democratic congressman voted against it.

  Although the two parties in the U.S. Congress still have clear differences on the issue of epidemic relief, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Pelosi, commented that the bill is "a significant piece of legislation with historical and transformative significance." Congress and the president have jointly delivered "assistance" to the American people. Undertaking" promise.

(Finish)